What was the first planned colonization of Georgia? In 1721, Colonel John Barnwell, a wealthy

South Carolina planter, traveled to London to ask for a fort to be built as the mouth of the Altamaha River (near Darien).

The Crown (English rule) approved the construction and in 1721, a garrison was built for Fort King George.

The English Influence in the Georgia Colony

The fort was a “warning point” for invaders from Spanish Florida. The fort was abandoned after six years.

Although Great Britain claimed Georgia in 1663, it didn’t begin making plans to settle the territory until 1717.

What was the first plan for “The Colonization of Georgia” Sir Robert Montgomery proposes

“Margravate of Azilia” – a new colony Proposed to settle area west of the Savannah

River to the Altamaha River Lacked financial backing to carry it out.

Who was James Edward Oglethorpe? Born in 1696 Member of an influential family – member

of parliament’s house of commons Oglethorpe’s friend, architect Robert

Castell, was in debtor’s prison Cared about people in trouble and worked

for prison reform Robert Castell died in debtor’s prison,

rallying Oglethorpe to find solutions for jobless individuals.

Oglethorpe began working with Dr. Thomas Bray to find a colony to help these people.

What type of colony did Oglethorpe propose to King George II? Bray died before his dream could come to

fruition In 1730, Oglethorpe asked King George II for

a tract of land Southwest of Carolina for “settling poor persons of London”.

Define the following terms:TRUSTEE, CHARTER Trustee- people who hold responsibility on

behalf of others Charter – legal document that grants special

rights and privileges

What was King George II’s response to Oglethorpe’s request?

Charter of 1732 June 7, 1732, King George II granted a charter

making Oglethorpe’s group of twenty one trustees responsible for establishing the colony of Georgia and for managing it for twenty one years.

noted that the grant covered an area of “all those lands, countries and territories” between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers extending westward “to the South Seas” -the trustees changed over the period that Georgia was a trustee

colony

What groups were specifically EXCLUDED in the charter? “Papists” were Catholics – excluded due to a

longstanding division between the Catholic Church and the Church of England

blacks were excluded so as not to introduce slavery into the community

liquor dealers were excluded because it was feared that the colonists would not work if liquor was permitted

lawyers were excluded because the trustees wanted colonists to settle their differences

The above could not become colonists!

What was denied to the Trustees of the new colony? The trustees could not:

own land hold political office be given any money for their work

How did King George II limit the power of the trustees?

The power of the trustees was limited and made them managers for a definite period of time and said that they could make no profit.

What Native American groups did Oglethorpe meet in Georgia? Oglethorpe made friends with the Yamacraw

Indians (Creek) through their chief Tomochichi –he helped in peaceful negotiations with various tribes not just his own

Interpreter for Oglethorpe: John and Mary Musgrove – wife of trading post operator – Mary was part Creek Indian and part British (father)

Mary helped maintain peace between Native Americans and British in the colony

How did the Native Americans and South Carolina settlers receive Oglethorpe? Oglethorpe and Chief Tomochichi

established a close friendship until the chief’s death in 1739

South Carolinian colonists were happy to have new neighbors.

Where did Oglethorpe decide to settle and why?

City of Savannah Choose Yamacraw Bluff, overlooking the

Savannah River Selected because it was high above ground Observed springs coming out of it Sheltered from Western and Southern winds

by vast pine trees Indians chose it for their habitation, so must

be good.

1734 community map – Hargrave Rare Book

Who assisted Oglethorpe in his plans and how were their ideas incorporated?

Original design based on the one by Robert Castell, Oglethorpe’s friend who died in prison.

Input received from Colonel William Bull and surveyor Noble Jones

Oglethorpe designed Savannah as a pattern of grids with wide streets, interconnected neighborhoods and shady public squares,

Four squares – twenty lots sixty by ninety feet on North and South, east and west larger areas set aside for churches and stores.

Center of squares divided into blocks – ten houses in each block, four blocks in each ward.

Hargrove Rare Manuscript

What was life in the colony like during the first year? Each settler expected to care for house and

five acre garden plot on edge of town Cultivated mulberry trees for silk Grist mill for corn meal, courthouse, well

water, bakery Growing medical problems most likely due to

lack of vegetables, change in climate, poor sanitation

40 settlers died in the first year.

What happened to the “ailing” colony? Ship arrived July 1733 carrying Jewish

passengers Passengers asked to join settlement as only

the religious group Catholic were not allowed. Replaced colony’s only doctor who had died

earlier, with physician DR. SAMUEL NUNIS.

When did the next group of colonists arrive?

Salzburgers

May 1734 – German Protestants forced to leave Catholic controlled Salzburg.

Asked Oglethorpe for help Oglethorpe placed the group twenty five

miles from Savannah, in a place called Ebenezer (the rock of help) Eventually left for more fertile area of New Ebenezer.

Who were the Highland Scots?

Oglethorpe wanted to protect Savannah from an attack by Spanish Florida to the South. He recruited about 175 Highland Scots to settle the area south of Savannah

The Scottish had a reputation of being good soldiers

They settled near present day Darien They were hard workers they raised cattle

and harvested timber (soil was not good for farming)

What new laws did Oglethorpe introduce and why?

Buying rum was against the law Alcohol could not be used when trading with

the Native American Slavery not allowed because it would make

the land owner idle. Trade with Native Americans more closely

watched.

Who were the Malcontents? Many of the Malcontents were people

wealthy enough to pay for their own voyage to Georgia.

These people resented the limits put in place by the Trustees including no slaves, no rum, not being able to buy additional land

The Malcontents wanted to prosper and did not support the trustee’s regulations.

What happened to change Oglethope’s focus?

War of Jenkin’s Ear (Spanish sailors reported to have cut off ear of Robert Jenkins, a British seaman – see page 124)

Oglethorpe welcomed the idea of invading neighboring Florida and marched into Florida with about two thousand men.

Spanish won the first battle, June 1740. Battle continued for two years – Oglethorpe

and Highland Scots won Battle of Bloody Marsh (neither bloody nor a real battle).

What happened to Oglethorpe after the war? 1743 – Oglethorpe called to Great Britain to

answer charges that he did not act correctly when he failed to capture Spanish held St. Augustine.

Cleared of charges but did not return to Georgia- married a young heiress (Elizabeth Wright) and became a patron of the arts.

Who took over for Oglethorpe? William Stephens, trustee secretary, was named

president of the colony (1742-1751) 1742 rum allowed to be sold 1750 allowed more land and to have slaves 1751 President Stephens retired and was replaced

by his assistant – Professor Parker Professor Parker dies one year later(1751-1752) now controlled by Patrick Graham (1752-1754) –

brought back a lot of colonists. 1752 one year before the original charter’s end, the

trustees returned Georgia to the authority of King George II.

What changes took place during this brief part of colonial history?

Colony was economic failure Unhappy settlers moved elsewhere Rum imported Slavery introduced By the time Georgia’s charter ended (1752),

about one third of the three thousand population were slaves.

What positive changes arose?

Bethesda Orphans home established for orphans

John and Charles Wesley established the first Sunday school in America and founded the first Methodist Church.

Court system established and by 1750, women gained right to inherit property.